Beijing  - China on Thursday opened the annual National People's Congress (NPC), the nominal parliament of the ruling Communist Party, with a focus on measures to bolster the economy against the impact of the global financial crisis.

President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and other party leaders were among some 3,000 NPC delegates who heard the opening speeches of the nine-day event.

Wen delivered a government work report on 2008 and outlined key economic policies for this year.

China said its estimated gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 9 per cent last year, after a slowdown towards the end of the year. The government is aiming for GDP growth of about 8 per cent this year but some Western analysts have forecast growth as low as 5 per cent.

NPC spokesman Li Zhaoxing said Wednesday that China planned to increase its military budget for this year by another 14.9 per cent, following similar large defence hikes in recent years.

Li defended the increase as "modest" and necessary for military modernization and to improve conditions for troops.

"China's limited military force is mainly for safeguarding our sovereignty and will not pose a threat to any country," he said.

Some 2,000 members of an advisory body, hundreds of journalists and observers, and a military brass band also attended the opening of the NPC. (dpa)